Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) engaged the local agriculture industry in the New England region to create Ag Camp New England, a transformative program aimed at inspiring and engaging youth into the agricultural sector.
This five-day camp connected schools in the New England region with local employers in Moree & the New England region, offering students valuable hands-on experiences and exposing them to real employment opportunities in Agriculture. The program strives to increase students' awareness of agricultural career pathways, boost enrolments in Agriculture and VET Primary Industries courses, and facilitate a seamless transition from education to employment.
Through hands-on workshops and immersive experiences at various agricultural sites, 21 students from Peel High School, Wee Waa High School, and Gunnedah High School visited 15 employers across the Moree region, covering an impressive distance of over 800 kilometres.
The employers, Vitonga Farms, Statewide Aviation, Narrabri Fish Farm, AGT Foods Australia, Australian Cotton Research Institute (ACRI), Matt Ehsman Working Dogs, Stahmann Webster Farms, Weebollabolla Shorthorns/Bob Jamieson Agencies, Kenway and Clark, OzFish Unlimited, North West Local Lands Services, Yinarr Ma, Myola Feedlot (Bindaree Food Group), Australian Food and Fibre (AFF), represent diverse areas such as food and livestock production, technology, research, agribusiness, and sustainable agriculture, so students gained a comprehensive understanding of both traditional and emerging agricultural career pathways.
Students experienced behind-the-scenes access to agricultural locations, enabling them to explore potential career paths and develop a deeper understanding of employment opportunities within and beyond their schooling years. Teachers, too, participated in the camp, and enhanced their industry currency and knowledge of career pathways.
After the camp, 94% of student participants expressed their desire to pursue careers in the agricultural industry or stated that they were now considering the path. One student highlighted, "I enjoyed the way we got to see the 'behind the scenes' of all the places we went to. It gave me a new insight into what I want to do."
The success of this initiative highlights RIEP and the catered approach they provide, to create innovative approaches that effectively showcase career opportunities to students.
The RIEP program supports employers of all sizes and across all industries in connecting with schools to create lasting impacts through vocational pathways.
To learn more or get in touch with the RIEP program, you can reach out to RIEP@det.nsw.edu.au